Monster Hunter Memoirs: Saints

Saints is the perfect wrap-up to the three volume prequel series. The characters are the kind you want to read about, the main character’s adventures are legendary and the villains.... well, the villains get what they have coming. And getting the backstory on the events that made the MHI of today what it is was totally awesome.

I shy away from five star reviews both both because it sets an awfully high expectation for other readers but also because I feel you have to jump through some real hoops to justify it. So here is my best swing at that because I do think it is deserved. Oy.

If you haven't read the previous two books in this series MH:Saints is readable and enjoyable. With that stated I think Mr.'s Ringo and Correia have done an excellent job layering the character of Chad and the developing throughline of the plot and you will lose out if you don't read the first two. Since I would prefer that the authors make obscene amounts of money from the series so they continue to write them please buy the other two and read them first!

John Ringo did a fantastic job creating Chad. Initially in the series I was a bit concerned that Chad was looking like a purposeful opposite in all ways to Owen from the "core" Monster Hunter International series. Chad grew up in a left leaning academic household with an abusive family. Owen grew up being prepped to be a bad-ass monster hunter. Chad was military, Owen never served. Chad likes Franks, is sympathetic to the MCB, and dislikes Earl. Owen is the opposite of all of those things. Owen likes to punch things and fell deeply in love with Julie S., Chad is a womanizing intellectual who likes research and co-eds. . . It is to Mr. Ringo's credit that a character with an unattractive bio is very human, very sympathetic, and frankly becomes one that a reader can identify with.

The city of New Orleans is a character on its own and it's population is fascinating in its own right. Without the complex and clever world building this trilogy wouldn't have worked, New Orleans and its fictional society is essential to the story. Importantly, New Orleans is really the only major city in the US which has the right real history to allow the fictional overlay to work.

The story itself is engaging but different than a more normal book. Using the conceit of being both a memoir and teaching manual the story is a building series of smaller stories that build to the climax. What I appreciated (beyond the fact that the sub-stories are entertaining as heck) is that it makes this book and the series structurally different from the core MHI books (which you should also have read, by the way!). As an example, the climactic battle description is almost more of a logistical explanation than a blow by blow combat account. Which frankly would have been more boring and also illustrates that Chad is more of a planner than Owen's "shoot everything that moves until it stops, then shoot it some more" methodology. Chad and Owen would have hated each other. . .

Earl's coda to the book is what cemented me into giving this five stars. It distilled the essence of Chad to a very few pages and locked him in as one of my 2-3 favorite characters in the series. It also had me changing my mind about what I am hoping John Ringo writes next in the universe (and for heaven's sake, just throw sacks of money at him until he agrees) a few times [tiny spoiler to follow]. At the conclusion of the main narrative I felt Chad's story was wrapped up and I was OK with no more Chad. Then I realized I wanted more details about the European mission. Then we got a good capsule summary of Susan's loss and I went back to being good with wrapping up Chad rather than overexpose him. Then we saw him going out like a samurai (and all of the Japanophilia of Chad paid off with him being the perfectly right guy at the optimal time) and I wanted more of him. Then Earl mentioned his daughter and I flipped finally to "screw Chad, give me her stories!". Which shows the authors are smarter than me. Why give me more of something I already like but also am already used to when you can give me something in the same vein that is different and is new?

As an aside, as a man who started studying kenjutsu 30 years ago, I am so happy to have a swordsman in a novel with firearrms that actually makes sense in the context of the universe and isn't a bit of a fool for simply not carrying more ammunition to kill things with. . .

In summary, this is an engaging read that has well developed and complex characters, a clever plot, sophisticated world building, and a story that leaves you satisfied with no loose ends yet also leaves you wanting more from the author ASAP. So, five stars.

I have loved the previous 2 books in this offshoot series to Larry Correias : "Monster Hunter's International" universe. John Ringo's writing style is gripping, and these books are a lot more gritty then Mr. Correia's. The first 2 were great, and this 3rd book was not a disappointment being equal to and possibly surpassing the previous ones even for enjoyment. Right from the opening of the 3, you are made aware of the fact that the 3 book series will have a tragic end, and so you brace yourself for this in this volume. This isn't a spoiler. They don't hide it, as all 3 of these books set approximately 30 years in the past of the timeline of the main series, lead up to a pivotal event in the "Meta" series. But for all that, it is written with enough style and skill to make something that should be a known quantity seem like a surprise. It's loaded with wonderful views of well loved characters from the main series back when they were still just "newbs" and it's got a number of rather astonishing surprises. Ringo's books are a bit of a bone of contention for MHI fans. People seem to love them or hate them. Put me firmly in the LOVE category....

After looking forward to this novel for a year, I almost didn’t read it because it quickly became apparent that this great subseries of Correia’s Monster Hunter books was the last about Chad Gardenier. You can’t help but love Chad and the thought that this was his last adventure was heartbreaking (not surprising, but it’s set in the past and we all knew when Chad is going to die from the beginning, but heartbreaking none the less). So I read it with a heavy heart and loved every page. I loved it so much I had to resist the urge to put it down and pick up the first two books in the trilogy to reread them and make certain I was totally up on what was happening. Not one page was disappointing. It’s a fabulous combination of hard action and genuine world building that (thanks to Correia) fits seamlessly with the main series. And then, as a reward for my loyal reading, the novel ends with a ray of hope—not for Chad—that I’m praying means Ringo will be teaming up with Correia to give us a new little sub series like this one. I hope they are both reading this and remember that it’s okay to tease as long as they come through with the new stories.

Saints: Monster Hunter Memoirs by Larry Correia and John Ringo

I am relatively new to the Monster Hunter series and I have to admit they are fun to read. There is a general irreverence and specific suspicions as to the veracity and reliability of government. This is description of Iron Hand AKA Oliver Chadwick Gardenier exploits in a monumental battle in New Orleans.

The authors show an acceptance of a wide variety of beliefs and faiths that merely accompany an action enhanced plot. It is also shown the belief that as soon as the government gets their fingers in a pie that you may as well throw out the pie and start over. The broader than reality brush used sometimes lulls the reader into missing the philosophic lessons the authors are providing.

On the other hand, you can ignore all the nuances and just enjoy a rousing shoot’em up.

I enjoyed the book and I have enjoyed the series.

The third and final installment in the memoirs of Chad "Iron Hand" Gardenier, Monster Hunter. As usual, I enjoyed Mr. Ringo's action sequences, especially within the construct of Mr. Correia's Monster Hunter world. The flashback to the 80s, where Hunter technology was not as advanced as in the "mainstream" MHI is a nice change. I would say that my only problem is that Gardenier is a bit much of the 'perfect hero,' smart and deadly and ruthless as well. I particularly liked the introduction of Sam Haven as a newbie in New Orleans, however. Sam was one of my favorite characters in the "mainstream" series.

Wow! I have started my second listen and I see I need to go back over all the MHI books to figure out the bombshell dropped on us in the end. I will miss Chad but we went into this already knowing his end. Enjoy the Green lands.

I really wanted to like this series - I really did. BUT. Too much Mary Sue/Marty Stew(?) I know, I know...the Monster Hunter series is basically Mary Sue to the max, but you have to crank it up to 11 to meet CHAD LEVELS. Action was pretty good, character development...meh. I know the authors were trying to make Chad seem, well, "Chadish," but he was a bit unlikable throughout the whole series - kind of sanctimonious almost. The whole Milo hero-worshiping Chad made it a bit much too. Not going to spoil anything don't worry. Bottom line - if you like the Monster Hunter series, this will tide you over until the next installment, and is an interesting side quest/lore backstory.

The final volume of John Ringo’s prequel to Larry Correia fun series, Monster Hunter Memoirs: Saints (hard from Baen) tells of Chad Gardenier’s attack on a massive monster living under New Orleans and causing all the problems with Zombies, Ghosts, and other monsters. The government has also decided that he’s behind a virgin kidnaping gang based on a supernatural reading. There are the usual violent monsters and problems with the local government monster hunters trying to keep the monster hunting quiet. The usual lots of fun. Review printed by Philadelphia Free Press

I've been starving for a new John Ringo novel for a very long time. I know he's negotiating with his writing muse, and I'm OK with that.. I'll wait patiently... his books are worth it. I could see some of his ideas and writing peeking through this novel, and though it was just a little appetizer, I can honestly say that for me it was the best meal I've had in years. There's a lot to like about this book, but one part in particular screamed EPIC. To John's muse I say this; "nice appetizer, but I hope you'll soon be back in the kitchen because this is going to stick to my ribs like Chinese food. Please sah, I wants sum moh.. (does his best Oliver Twist)".

What a belter of a trilogy. It ties in beautifully with the main series, and I really loved every minute of each of these books.

But this one especially, this one took the cake. Ringo stuck the landing with eloquence. I almost got a little choked up in the epilogue. No spoilers, just know that I can't wait for the next book in the main series to answer the questions that were dropped on me at the close of MHM: Saints.

Very good. Hopefully the main character shows up in future MonsterHunter books. If you like the main Monster Hunter Story line you should definitely check out the Memoirs Series. It not only stands alone as a great read but also serves to flesh out the Monster Hunter World. Two Thumbs up.

The three words at the end. Ouch. Less actions and more character building in this one. I started the book right after I started smoking on the fourth. I finished the last two chapters for dessert after the guests left.

Hit it out of the park for the last one. Fantastic book, great series and there is a tease at the end that will have you wondering. Ringo can tell a story and I would recommend this book and the whole series.

I can’t recommend the MHI series to enough people, the writing is phenomenal, the details are super accurate, the story just keeps getting better and better! The song Demons in the Dirt by Hellyeah sums up this book, this character, and this series as perfectly as anything!

I listened to all the books on audible i like them very much but know they left me wondering about iron hand daughter who is she when did he have kids is he was always saying he wouldn't have any children i hope he write a book about her is she a monster hunter too